University of North Dakota

I am part of the first online cohort for the BSSW program offered at the University of North Dakota. Since I was part of the first online BSSW program, I did not have reviews to read or alumni to talk to about their experience so I was unaware of what to expect. I had previously taken some online classes and was unimpressed with their teaching styles and curriculum so my hopes weren't very high for this program. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the classes and the professors. The classes... Read More were taught in a synchronized fashion so I was able to see the professor in real time, interact with them as well as my classmates, and participate in lectures and class projects. There were obviously some hiccups sometimes which comes with technology but overall my experience was nothing but positive. My professors were extremely knowledgeable, very helpful and adjusted their teaching methods based on the needs of the class. They were always there to answer my questions, returned graded assignments in a timely manner and were honestly invested in my education and growth in the social work field. I am so glad I was able to attend and I feel honored to be part of the first cohort of the online BSSW program.

The UND distance program for Social Work provides an excellent interactive environment for students who want more than just an online class. The school is accredited, and the on campus visits allow students to feel connected to the university. That said, distance learning can be challenging. Faculty is sometimes hard to get a hold of, and advisement is not always up to par. Students must remain resilient, resourceful and persistent if they do not want to get lost in the program. Gatekeeping needs... Read More improvement, but overall I feel the program does well in preparing students to practice social work skills in society.